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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Cortnie Atkins" <cortnieatkins@xtratelecom.es>
Date:
Subject:

Hello, Greetings to you redacted@domain.name

We have this $15,500,000 Million to invest in any public sector that will yield our interest.

I have come to you in peace, and I know we can make this happen. I am Attorney Cortnie Atkins from Cabin Creek, West Virginia. I am the Personal attorney to my late client from your country, who died of a car accident with the family in 2022 During Covid. He deposited $15,500,000 (Fifteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) Only in a Bank here. He died without any registered next of kin.

The bank contacted me and said they would confiscate his account and money if I failed to present somebody as his next of kin; the bank wants to seize his money if I don't offer a next of kin to claim the money. I contacted you because he was from your country; let us work together with trust to claim this money and share it 50% for you and 50% for me. Please send me your Cell phone number so I can communicate with you and Your Address, Full Name, Sex, and Age.

We can share this money or invest in any business of your choice.

Please email me as soon as possible; please keep this confidential.

Regards
Mrs. Cortnie Atkins

Date & Time: 22.3.2023 10:30:32


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